‘Crazy Rich Asians” Director Denies Claims That Brenda Song Was Denied Role Because She Wasn’t ‘Asian Enough’

Jon M. Chu, the director of the rom-com ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ denies the claim made by Brenda Song that she was told she wasn’t “Asian enough” for a role in the film. ⠀⠀⠀

The former Disney star opened up about it in an interview with Teen Vogue, saying she “never got to read for ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ ever.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Song was a long time fan of the books that the film is based on, and after asking her managers to audition, they returned to her with bad news. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“This character is in her late to mid-20s, an Asian American, and I can’t even audition for it? I’ve auditioned for Caucasian roles my entire career, but this specific role, you’re not going to let me do it?” Song said. “You’re going to fault me for having worked my whole life? I was like ‘Where do I fit?’”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Many fans and those apart of the Asian American community took offense to the claim and defended Brenda Song. However, Chu immediately took to Twitter to respond. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“Would these words ever come out of my mouth? Nope makes no sense,” he tweeted. “I feel horrible she thinks this is the reason. The fact is, I love Brenda Song, and I am a fan. I didn’t need her to audition because I already knew who she was!” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The director tweeted out a 2018 article about the viral open casting call campaign that was held for the film.